How to Avoid Bike Accidents If You Are a Winter Cyclist | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Over the past few years, cycling has become a popular activity for both pleasure and for transportation. Although many cyclists put their bikes away when autumn and winter arrives, there are also many who continue to cycle all year. Of course, riding a bicycle presents more challenges in cold, wintry weather than it does during the warm weather months and it is important for cyclists to take the steps to protect themselves and to help avoid being injured in a bicycle accident.

 

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Clothing

When the weather turns colder, cyclists need to wear the right type of clothing in order to prevent the cold weather from seeping into their bones, but also allow them to maintain the mobility needed to ride. Many cold weather cyclists find the following options work well:

  • Wearing multiple layers provides the warmth needed to protect from the cold, but also allows the cyclist to remove any lawyers if the temperature warms up and/or their internal temperature increases.
  • When choosing winter cycling clothing, choose items that are made specifically for cycling and will help wicks away the moisture that builds from sweat, even in cold weather. Clothing made of waterproof material and fleeces – which may seem like good choices – are actually materials that cause cyclists to sweat even more. But these materials will leave a cyclist feeling wet and cold.
  • Even if the sun isn’t out, cyclists need to wear clear (or lightly tinted) glasses in order to protect eyes from any dirt debris and road spray.
  • Wear a pair of wind-proof gloves to protect your hands from the elements.

Equipment

Winter cyclists should also carry certain equipment that they would not normally carry with them in warmer weather. One of the most common problems in winter is tire punctures. Carrying sealant tubes will enable a cyclist to quickly repair a hole in a tire and allow them to get home and not stranded. Although some riders choose cartridges instead of tubes of sealants because they are a little easier to carry, the cartridges can freeze in cold weather. Riders should also carry a tire pump with them, as well.

Use Mudguards

Winter weather means messy roads. Grime, mud, salt, and other debris is often kicked up by vehicle and bicycle tires. There is always a risk that this debris can hit the cyclists and cause them to lose control of their bicycle and crash it. Installing mudguards will help protect a cyclist from these messy and potentially dangerous situations.

Bike Lights

Just as it is a good idea to keep vehicle headlights on at all times for safety sake, it is also something that cyclists should do on their “vehicles” too. When a bike light is turned on, it can help vehicle drivers see the cyclist, even in the gray, gloomy days of winter when it can sometimes be easy to miss someone riding a bicycle.

Contact a Skilled Carolinas Injury Attorney Today

Some of the most frequent injuries that clients of a North Carolina bicycle accident attorney suffer include brain injuries, broken bones, paralysis, and spinal trauma. Our legal team understands that the injuries bike accident victims sustain can leave them with permanent disabilities that not only create physical limitations but also result in significant financial losses.

If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle or any other type of motor vehicle accident, it is critical not to delay contacting the legal team at Shapiro & Appleton because North Carolina injury laws have strict rules regarding how long you have to file your personal injury claim. If the statute of limitations expires, you will be unable to collect financial damages for any medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, or any other losses you or your family may be entitled to.